Mr. James W Bratten Jr.

("Jim" & "Bubba")

August 22, 1945 - May 10, 2014

James “Jim” W. Bratten, Jr. aka: “BUBBA”, 68, of Pittsville passed Saturday, May 10, 2014 at his home surrounded by the love of his life Lydia and his children. Born August 22, 1945 he was preceded in death by his parents James W. Bratten, Sr. and Evelyn Powell Bratten.

Jim attended Pittsville High School and then served in the United States Army National Guard. He worked with thoroughbred horses at Riddle Farm and Winfields Farms as a handler and groomer. He worked with the 1964 Kentucky Derby Winner Northern Dancer and many other champions. He later worked at the Feed and Grain Mill for Perdue for eighteen years. He retired from Adkins Co. where he worked as a truck driver and delivery man for twenty years. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and a diehard Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and NASCAR fan. He was an honorary Wicomico County Deputy Sherriff and a past member of the Loyal Order of the Moose.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lydia Bratten; five children, Diane Basner, Harry (Crystal) Kinsell, Lydia Kinsell, James W. Bratten, IV, and James W. Bratten, III; six grandchildren, Dana (Jason) Basner, Dominic Kurtz, Tyler Kinsell, Stephen James Kurtz, Tori Kinsell, and Dustin Bratten; his dog who was like a son, Blizzard “Mr. Boogles” Bratten; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son-in-law, Glenn Basner, brother, William H. Bratten; sisters, Gale Sue Bratten and Ellen Parker; mother-in-law, Melba J. Price; and sister-in-law, Dottie Herbert. The family would like to thank his two special nurses, Jeanine and Jonelle for all of the care given to Bubba.

A funeral service will be held Saturday at 1PM at Bounds Funeral Home on East Main Street in Salisbury. Rev. Tom Bunting will officiate. Interment will follow in Pittsville Cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 6PM-8PM and Saturday from 12PM-1PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Bubba to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802.